The internet is always an ever-hungry place for rumors and gossip about celebrities. From Madonna’s alleged plastic surgeries to the illnesses that occasionally befall a celebrity, people seem to not be able to get enough of tabloid-style gossip and nasty comments. So is also the Michael Douglas cancer case, which got the internet all fired up about licentious rumors regarding how exactly he contracted it and speculating in a mean way about his personal life. Ever since news of his diagnosis (throat cancer with the HPV virus as a probable cause) broke out in 2012, the world was up and about to comment about his relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones and to speculate about how their private activities may have caused his cancer, or to look at recent pictures of him in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the tumor.

The truth is that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a DNA type of virus which can infect humans in a lot of different ways, sexual transmission being just one of them. A body with a low immune system can easily contract this virus just by exposure to it through environmental factors. We all have periods in which our immune system performs poorly, due to a lot of reasons: age, physical strain, a long period of fasting or dieting, stress, exhaustion, convalescence after a few illnesses in a row (like three bouts of the flu in a single season) and so on. Most HPV infections are silent (exhibit no symptoms) and only develop benign tumors (warts) after a while, or they can slowly transform these small tumors into cancers. This is what happened also in the Michael Douglas case, but it does not automatically mean that his illness was caused directly by sexual activity or that his trouble should invite lurid or mean comments. (Yes, we’re pretty upset with the internet whenever we see this kind of behavior regarding a story of illness – therefore you’ll find no photos of celebs in a vulnerable time here.)

Preventing HPV

Returning to the Michael Douglas cancer case, we believe that a far more constructive approach would be to simply focus on raising awareness for HPV infections and to focus on a better prevention of oral cancer (and cancer in general, since HPV is rarely associated with mouth or tongue cancer and usually causes cervical cancer). Therefore, we highly encourage you to spread this information: the HPV virus can be deadly if left undiagnosed and untreated until it reaches a stage 4 cancer in silence, but it is very easy to fight if caught early on.

To prevent infection with HPV (if we should all learn a lesson from the Michael Douglas cancer story, this is it), three steps should be considered. The first and most direct route is to have the vaccine against it – as of this year there are even two new generation vaccines on the market in many countries, and they have shown impressive results in keeping this virus at bay. If you would consider having this a vaccination as early in life as possible (as soon as puberty hits), then the virus would have very, very low chances of ever infecting you.

The second measure you can take against HPV is to have regular check-ups and screenings. For women of all ages – no matter if they’re doing anything considered unsafe behavior or not – a Pap smear once a year is basically a guarantee that you’ll never be too sick to receive treatment. The tricky thing about this virus – and what unfortunately led to the Michael Douglas cancer case – is that the illness doesn’t manifest itself until late, and if you have no symptoms you won’t be able to catch it at the right time. That’s why regular screenings and updates from your doctor are vital.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, try to avoid bringing your immune system down by keeping active but not strained, making sure you get enough fresh fruit and vegetables, but not over-dieting, and getting some fresh air and sunlight at least every other day. It may sound very simple, and it actually is, but if we’re busy we can find ourselves on the slippery slope of self-neglect very soon. Last, but not least, don’t forget that intense stress is the most powerful factors that damages our immune system, so try to avoid it as much as you can and remember to take care of yourself in the midst of everything else you need to do.

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Illness is never something that we would want to deal with, especially when it comes in the form of cancer. Cancer may be of different types, but the suffering is mostly the same in every situation. Although certain patients manage to overcome it, with the help of treatments, and mediation, it is usually the support of family and positive thinking that guarantee success. Positive thinking also translates into laughing. Have you heard the story of the man with the pink tutu? A simple and endearing photographer by the name of Bob Carey found out that his wife is suffering from cancer in 2003. It came back in 2006. That was the moment when he took his tutu, which in many ways is like superman’s cape, and decided to save her life. Who would have ever thought that a pink tutu could do so much good?

Many people have come across Bob’s photographs by accident, but if you thought the images were good, wait ’till you hear the rest of the story. The Tutu Project, because this is what it’s called new, started out as a way for Bob to express himself, and also to bring a smile on Linda’s face. He said that it was his wife’s courage and strength that helped him put the tutu on. He has traveled the world in it, and has taken hundreds of strange, yet beautiful photos, which had the sole purpose to lift her spirits. And they did.

Although Linda was struggling through the battle of her life, Bob’s photos somehow managed to make her every time. When she was in chemotherapy, she shares the images with other patients, and they too would laugh.

“When Linda would go in for treatment, she would take the images on her phone and the women would look at them and it would make them laugh and make the time pass,” Bob said.”

But this was just the beginning. Linda said that the more she laughed, the better she felt, and her fellow patients felt the same way. This is when The Tutu Project was born. Bob’s photos really helped other women smile, and forget about their troubles. Sooner than later, the images became viral. Probably the most charming thing about the project is its awkwardness: a 40-something year old man takes random photos, in random places, and he always wears that same pink tutu.

“Oddly enough, her cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing—no, the only thing—we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others.”

These pictures managed to raise not only awareness about cancer, but they also managed to give hope to those that had last all of it. Bob soon published the book “Ballerina”, which basically contains 61 images which are united by one, single theme: the man in the pink tutu, bearing all in support of his wife. Each image has its own story, and the locations are carefully picked: some are important landmarks, others are beautiful natural places, while others are obscure settings with a powerful meaning. All of net proceed from sales go to the Carey Foundation, which was established by the couple in order to aid people suffering from cancer, because Bob and Linda know that not all medical costs are covered by insurance. You can also purchase the “Tutu Project 2014” Wall Calendar, if you enjoy the unexpected charm of these images.

Now, instead of fighting their own battles, the couple is trying to help other women beat cancer. So in case they ever feel alone, women suffering will now that there is at least one man in a pink tutu by their side. In a way, the images sound silly, but it is the type of silliness that can save lives.